Group G: France, Germany battle for supremacy, hope to avoid misstep in Shenzhen
SHENZHEN (China) - France and Germany arrive in Shenzhen poised to capture supremacy in Group G while Dominican Republic and Jordan hope they can surprise their way into a trip to the Second Round in Nanjing.
France, who finished third at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014, and Germany, who return to the world stage after missing the last tournament, both have the talent to challenge for the trophy - or at least a spot in the Knockout Phase. The Dominicans, for their part, have a myriad of players who can score but lack a true superstar, while Jordan will rely heavily on guard Dar Tucker to carry them to an upset.
Team to beat: France
France are the frontrunners with a trio of leaders back from the team that took third five years ago in Spain: Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert. Head coach Vincent Collet had an embarrassment of riches to choose from in putting together his 12-man roster.
Nando De Colo remains one of the top guards in Europe and won a major club title this season as did newcomer Amath M'Baye. There are also the likes of Frank Ntilikina, and Mathias Lessort who will be looking to make a name for themselves with Les Bleus. All told, Collet has a great roster mix of veteran leadership and young energy to team with hungry motivation.
Key matchup: France v Germany
Action in Shenzhen tips off with Dominican Republic v Jordan in a game to likely decide who has the best chance to maybe slip into the next round. But the September 1 nightcap sees the two European powerhouses France and Germany face off in what is expected to be the battle for first place. France have extra motivation after Germany ousted them in the Round of 16 at FIBA EuroBasket 2017. With the results carrying over to the Second Round and two of Australia, Canada, Lithuania and Senegal awaiting in the crossover, a victory in this game is almost a must.
Click here for the full schedule of Group G.
FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE
| WORLD RANK |
COUNTRY | ZONE RANK |
IOC | CURRENT POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. |  France |
2. | FRA | 650.2 |
| 18. |  Dominican Republic |
6. | DOM | 434.8 |
| 22. |  Germany |
14. | GER | 402.5 |
| 49. |  Jordan |
8. | JOR | 223.3 |
Star: Rudy Gobert
Gobert did not play at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and his absence factored in France seeing their stretch of consecutive continental podium finishes snapped after second in 2011, the trophy in 2013 and third in 2015. The 25-year-old big man also showed his star potential already in France's run to third place at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and he played at the Men's Olympic Tournament 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Gobert has become one of the most intimidating defenders in the world as he captured his second straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year award this past season with the Utah Jazz. Gobert will be the rock of France's defense in China.
Top prospect: Frank Ntilikina
Ntilikina will be making his debut with the France senior national team after success with the youth ranks, having guided France to the title at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2014 and FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 - being named MVP of the latter. The 21-year-old guard knows France head coach Vincent Collet well as he played for him at Strasbourg before heading to the NBA. Ntilikina has yet to really leave his mark with the New York Knicks so the playmaker will really be looking to gain some confidence in leading his compatriots to more glory.
Familiar faces: Zaid Abbas, Nicolas Batum, Robin Benzing and Victor Liz
Jordan missed FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 but Abbas is one of three players for Jordan who played in Turkey nine years ago along with Mousa Al Awadi and Mohammed Hussein. Abbas led the country in scoring and rebounding in Jordan's only previous appearance on the world stage.
Batum will be playing at his third straight FIBA Basketball World Cup after leading the team in scoring in 2010 and 2014. Andrew Albicy and Nando De Colo were both in Turkey but did not play in Spain. Benzing is Germany's sole holdover from the team in Turkey nine years ago and he will be the captain in China. Liz meanwhile is joined by Eulis Baez, Ronald Ramon and Eloy Vargas in making back-to-back showings for Dominican Republic.
FIBA
